Page 31 - Ebook HTKH 2024

Source: Canada.ca (2024)
Waste is a growing problem globally, with 2.01 billion tons of solid waste
produced each year. While high-income countries make up only 16% of the world's
population, they produce 34% of the world's waste. Unfortunately, Canada generates

more waste per capita than any other country with 36.1 tons of waste per year. That is
significantly higher than Bulgaria, which comes in second with 26.7 tons, or the
United States, which comes in third with 25.9 tons. (However, China produces the
most waste, accounting for 15% of the world's solid waste). With so much waste
Canadians produce, it is important to manage waste as economically and ecologically
as possible and divert it from landfills.

Source: Canada.ca (2024)
In recent years, the Canadian government has invested heavily in waste
management (57% of total environmental spending in 2020, as well as increasing
clean technology projects, Table 1).
Tier 3: Lithium Mining: Canada has considerable lithium reserves, essential for
the growing EV industry. However, sustainable extraction practices are crucial to

mitigate environmental harm. The government and industry stakeholders are
collaborating to develop best practices for responsible mining.
th
Statistics (Tables 2 and 3) show that although Canada has 3.6% (ranked 6 ) of the
th
world's lithium reserves, it has only exploited 0.4% (ranked 8 ) of the world's total
lithium production. Canada's resource exploitation policy also must consider
environmental damage.

23